So Archer and Wood are out of the first Ashes test as mentioned elsewhere. Good opportunity for Australia to capitalise. If they win the toss and bat first, grind it out a bit and get a decent Toal on board.

Wait, is that confirmed? Was never confident that Wood would make it tbh, nor was he really close to being in the starting XI, but Archer out could be significant

Wait, is that confirmed? Was never confident that Wood would make it tbh, nor was he really close to being in the starting XI, but Archer out could be significant

I do not think it has been totally confirmed but Wood is supposedly out for 6 weeks so has no chance of playing the first test. Archer is less certain but seeing he went home to Barbados(?) and is not due back until right before the first test it seems like he will miss it as well. Still Anderson, Broad, Woakes and Stokes is a fine bowling attack.

I do not think it has been totally confirmed but Wood is supposedly out for 6 weeks so has no chance of playing the first test. Archer is less certain but seeing he went home to Barbados(?) and is not due back until right before the first test it seems like he will miss it as well. Still Anderson, Broad, Woakes and Stokes is a fine bowling attack.

Wood would be ready for the 4th Test.
Archer's cousin, Ashantio Blackman, 24, was shot dead outside his home in St Philip the day after England's World Cup campaign started. Archer is still getting over a side injury as well.

Wood would be ready for the 4th Test.
Archer's cousin, Ashantio Blackman, 24, was shot dead outside his home in St Philip the day after England's World Cup campaign started. Archer is still getting over a side injury as well.

Harris looked weak against the short ball all summer. He had 6 tests last summer and didn't step up in any of them. Burns had one test and lifted the team with him.

Burns is the most harshly dealt with player in the Australian set up. We need to stop giving rubbish openers an entire summer to average 30. It's happened with Bancroft and Harris now. It's not worth us losing test series by picking players on short term form and not long term success.

Harris looked weak against the short ball all summer. He had 6 tests last summer and didn't step up in any of them. Burns had one test and lifted the team with him.

Burns is the most harshly dealt with player in the Australian set up. We need to stop giving rubbish openers an entire summer to average 30. It's happened with Bancroft and Harris now. It's not worth us losing test series by picking players on short term form and not long term success.

Burns deserves the chance more than any of the other choices right now. That's not to say he should play all 5 tests. Personally I think Burns would be better in the middle order, particularly if Khawaja returns. Khawaja should open if available. He's a better bet than any of the other choices. Smith up to 3, middle order of concrete feet (Head), Patterson and Burns. If Khawaja can't play, Burns to open and Wade to bat 6. Still not convinced with Wade as a test batsman but he's in some pretty good nick at the moment.

Bancroft, Harris and laughable should all gagf for a couple of years. Come back when they're more complete.

And yes, autocorrect did change Labaschagne to laughable. Thought it weirdly appropriate.